On March 10, 2026, Texas authorities, together with the Alcoholic Beverage Fee, raided the Lodge Card Membership in Spherical Rock, Texas, USA.
The raid was in response to alleged cash laundering and unlawful playing actions. No arrests or costs have been introduced.
As of right this moment, all accounts related to the membership are frozen.
Simply to be clear, is dwell poker in Texas authorized?
It’s a little murky, however primarily sure, so long as you might be working a personal membership and never taking rake from poker video games. Texas poker golf equipment cost gamers membership charges and time‑based mostly seat charges. This permits the cardboard membership to supply dwell poker money video games and tournaments whereas remaining compliant with state legislation.
Who runs the Lodge Card Membership?
Skilled poker gamers Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen purchased the membership in 2022. Polk, in his written assertion, denied data of any crimes and made a private pledge that each one members will probably be made entire. In a separate submit on X, he said that he “has personally assured that each one participant funds will probably be secure.” Some are calling on Doug to make use of his personal funds instantly to repay gamers.
So what’s the holdup? Why can’t Doug make folks entire proper now?
It’s a superb query. We assume that if he pays out now from his private funds throughout this early stage of investigation, it may result in authorized issues because the case may be very a lot not cut-and-dried as to what’s truly taking place.
What have the authorities stated concerning the raid?
“Texas Alcoholic Beverage Fee’s Monetary Crimes Unit, together with members of the Particular Investigations Unit and Operations Bureau, executed a search and seizure warrant at Lodge Card Membership together with an ongoing investigation into suspected cash laundering and unlawful playing,” Chris Porter, TABC Director of Communications, informed PokerNews in an unique assertion.
Has the Lodge issued a press release but?
5 days after the raid, the Lodge issued a press release on X. We perceive the employees members are in search of work whereas the investigation shakes out. The Lodge Card Membership’s full assertion is reproduced under.
We all know our loyal employees, members, and followers have been anxiously ready for an replace relating to the current occasions that led to the closure of the membership. We acknowledge that the closure has had a severe impression for a lot of. Greater than 200 employees members depend on The Lodge for his or her livelihoods, and plenty of of our members have funds tied up in chips or pending match payouts. We perceive the priority and frustration and we wish everybody to know that it isn’t being taken flippantly.As a lot as we want to present an in depth replace, we’re unable to take action presently as a result of, regardless of our authorized crew’s finest efforts to acquire extra data from the authorities, little or no data has been made obtainable.What we do know is that no costs have been filed, and we stay dedicated to cooperating totally in order that any considerations could be addressed. On the similar time, we are able to affirm that all the membership’s belongings and financial institution accounts have been frozen. As well as, we’ve got been informed to not re-open till the investigation concludes.The Lodge has at all times taken its obligation to function lawfully very critically. The management crew is dedicated to making sure that The Lodge operates transparently, responsibly, and in good religion inside Texas legislation by emphasizing strengthened oversight and continued enchancment of operations.Sadly, we have no idea how lengthy this course of will take or after we will probably be allowed to function once more. We clearly consider that the longer our doorways stay closed, the higher the impression turns into — not simply on the enterprise itself, however on the tons of of employees members, distributors, companions, and group members who depend on The Lodge daily.Your continued assist of The Lodge — its traditions, its employees, and the group that exists inside these partitions — means the world to us. We’re upset and pissed off by the disruption this has prompted and stay hopeful that we will work constructively and with the authorities in a really well timed method in order that we are able to transfer ahead and reopen our doorways. All we are able to do in the intervening time is to vow to share extra data as quickly as we’re ready.Within the meantime, if The Lodge has meant one thing to you — as a spot to play, work, or construct friendships — we encourage you to share your assist within the feedback. Listening to from this group means extra to our employees and management crew than we are able to put into phrases.
What has Doug stated concerning the raid?
After requires Doug to make a Polker Information video on the matter, he has launched a press release on X. He guarantees to make everybody entire and denies any wrongdoing. Doug’s assertion, in full, under.
I didn’t take part in, and nonetheless don’t have any data of, any cash laundering within the operation of the Lodge. I perceive that some folks assume that as a result of there was a search warrant, against the law will need to have been dedicated, however that’s not likely how the method works. A search warrant is only one step in an investigation, based mostly on an affidavit from legislation enforcement. That affidavit has not been given to the Lodge or made public.My coronary heart goes out to the tons of of Lodge staff whose jobs are in jeopardy. These are good, type, hardworking folks, and it’s painful to see them wrestle via this uncertainty.I additionally care deeply concerning the state of affairs for our members. There are quite a few folks with each chip balances and match payouts that can’t at present be processed. I wish to reiterate that these members will probably be made entire, and I’ll personally be sure that occurs, in coordination with my attorneys, in order that it’s performed correctly.With the recommendation of my attorneys, I’m dedicated to cooperating with legislation enforcement officers, answering any questions they’ve, and doing every thing I can to clear up the confusion of what has and has not been taking place at The Lodge.I anticipate to supply one other replace quickly, as soon as extra data is obtainable and my attorneys have had a chance to completely assess the state of affairs. Within the meantime, I respect your endurance and assist.
What has Andrew Neeme stated concerning the raid?
Up to now, crickets. His final submit was again in February when he shared information that the cardboard membership was turning eight with optimism of the yr forward.
Has Brad Owen made a remark but?
Owen has remained at a distance from commenting a lot on the raid. He has proven assist for Doug within the threads and reposted the Lodge assertion. However he has remained tight-lipped for now, in all probability on the request of his attorneys. Under is a remark Owen made concerning the present state of affairs.
Not quite a lot of data to make a press release about in the intervening time. We attempt to do every thing as above board as doable so I don’t actually know what that is about aside from individuals who don’t like poker attempting to close issues down.
What occurs subsequent?
Nobody actually appears to know. I’d think about Polk will keep quiet on recommendation from his attorneys together with the co-owners whereas the investigation shakes out. This may very well be days, weeks, or months. I’d assume gamers with funds tied up within the Lodge is not going to acquire entry to their funds for a while, even when there isn’t a wrongdoing confirmed.
Why is that this a giant deal?
Firstly, the Lodge Card Membership is the most important membership of its type in Texas, which can have knock-on results for your entire card membership business within the state.
Secondly, resulting from Polk’s excessive profile, this can be a big subject of curiosity for the poker group. Polk is an outspoken critic of anybody within the poker group or business who he deems is just not appearing with the perfect pursuits of the sport in thoughts. He took swings at Daniel Negreanu for his notorious feedback on extra rake is healthier, added gasoline to the Robbie Jade Lew/Garrett Adelstein fireplace, and spent dozens of hours dissecting proof of alleged collusion within the Mike Postle saga.
What are folks saying?
Everybody has an opinion. Simply dig into the feedback on social media and you will notice all types of theories starting from the raid being resulting from house owners having the ability to play in video games to their alcohol license having lapsed to employees being concerned in sports activities betting rings. That is all guesswork and conjecture. For now, nobody is aware of why this raid has occurred, or why now.
